Our SECRETS to Keeping Kids Happy in the Car
Let’s be real—spending hours in a metal box with kids is a unique blend of bonding, bickering, and bargaining. At some point between mile 12 and mile 243, you may begin to question all your life choices (especially the one where you packed three different trail mixes, and they only want the one with M&Ms).
But here’s the great news: road-tripping with kids can be fun. Really. With a bit of prep and a lot of snacks (okay, yes, we’re still packing those), you can turn your car into a mobile memory-maker instead of a rolling chaos chamber.
Below are 10+ tried-and-true tips to keep everyone smiling—or at least not shouting—until the next rest stop.
Table of Contents
Embrace the Power of a Killer Playlist
Music can set the tone for the whole trip. Create a playlist before you go that includes:
- Songs the kids know and love
- Classics you can belt out together
- Mellow tracks for quiet time or post-lunch wind-down
- A few secretly-for-you songs because you deserve it
Bonus idea: let each kid DJ for 20-minute increments. It gives them a sense of control (which they’ll love) and helps you avoid hearing “Let It Go” on repeat for six hours straight.
Audiobooks & Podcasts Are Your Best Friends
Audiobooks are magical road trip tools. They quiet the car, capture imaginations, and reduce screen time without anyone noticing.
Great family-friendly audiobook ideas:
- Harry Potter series
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- Charlotte’s Web
- The Mysterious Benedict Society
And don’t sleep on podcasts! Try:
- Brains On!
- Story Pirates
- Smash Boom Best
- Circle Round
- Wow in the World
They’re free, easy to queue up, and make the miles fly.
Pack Surprise Entertainment
Create a stash of dollar-store treasures or Amazon finds that you slowly unveil during the trip.
Some ideas:
Presenting something new every so often gives kids something to look forward to—and can instantly reset a grumpy mood.
Play Classic Road Trip Games (Yes, They Still Work)
They’re old-school for a reason—road trip games pass the time and engage everyone in the car.
Favorites include:
- The License Plate Game – how many states can you spot?
- I Spy – with younger kids, limit it to “inside the car”
- Would You Rather? – endless giggles and debate
- 20 Questions – especially fun with animals or movie characters
- Alphabet Game – spot letters A to Z in order on road signs and billboards
Even teens will secretly enjoy some of these… as long as no one calls it “cringey.”
Snack Smart (and Strategically)
Yes, snacks are basically currency on a road trip. But don’t hand over the whole snack stash at once.
Here’s the strategy:
- Pack several small snack bags per kid, separated by hour or stop
- Choose mess-free options: cheese sticks, granola bars, dried fruit, pretzels
- Throw in a “fun” snack per day—maybe gummies or popcorn
- Avoid entire bags of goldfish. You’ll be vacuuming them up for years.
Oh, and pack trash bags. So many trash bags.
Give Each Kid an “Adventure Bag”
Empower them with their own little domain of entertainment and essentials. Our kids have been packing their bags since they were 3 or 4.
A basic kit could include:
- Headphones
- Notebook and pens
- A favorite book or comic
- A small toy or two
- Water bottle
- Wipes or tissues
- A snack or two
We also add some of the items listed above under “Surprise Entertainment.”
Letting them organize it themselves gives them ownership—and maybe saves you from being asked where the crayons went every five minutes.
Keep Screens in Your Back Pocket
Yes, screens are a beautiful gift from the travel gods. But using them strategically makes them even more magical.
Use screen time:
- For the toughest stretches (traffic jams, post-lunch slumps, long boring highways)
- As rewards for good behavior
- For quiet time or to wind down before a nap
Don’t forget to preload content! Nothing sours the mood faster than “No WiFi” messages when trying to start a movie.
Plan for Pit Stops (and Make Them Fun)
Rest stops don’t have to be boring. Plan for stretch breaks with a little flair:
- Bring a ball or jump rope for a 10-minute energy burn
- Look for quirky roadside attractions—giant dinosaurs, anyone?
- Keep a scavenger hunt list going that includes “weird bathroom,” “funny billboard,” or “mini-mart with a random gift shop.”
Even a short dance break by the car can reset everyone’s mood (yes, even yours).
Embrace the Magic of a “Quiet Time Hour”
Everyone. Quiet. For 60 minutes.
No talking, no music, no games.
Just audiobooks or silence. Perhaps a bit of coloring or reading.
Frame it as a grown-up thing they get to participate in. Or say the car needs a “power recharge” and it’s helping it run longer (because hey, that’s only slightly untrue).
Bonus: You might actually hear yourself think.
Celebrate the Little Moments
Kids will remember the weird, wonderful, and completely random moments more than the perfectly planned ones.
- Laugh at the wrong turns
- Let them pick the gas station snack once
- Take goofy selfies at roadside diners
- Write down one thing you loved about each day together
You’re not just passing miles—you’re building family folklore.
Final Thoughts from the Third Row
Keeping kids happy in the car isn’t about making every moment magical. It’s about making enough moments magical to get you through the not-so-magical ones.
With a bit of planning, a sense of humor, and maybe a small bribe in the form of animal crackers, you’ll create a trip full of connection, laughter, and “remember when…” stories that get told for years.
And hey—when the kids are grown and planning their road trips, you’ll be the one laughing when they realize what legends you were.
Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit
🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?
Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!
🎒 Includes:
Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save our post “Keeping Kids Happy in the Car!”! While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals, they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car. Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge or how to plan the perfect road trip.. Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases
**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**
You May Also Like
How to Masterfully Use Google Maps to Plan a Road Trip
How to Plan the Perfect Family Road Trip Route
